Figure 5.
Inhibitor washout in a three-dimensional multi-crypt model of the intestine. (A) Crypt–villus geometry in the three-dimensional model showing a matrix of spatially distinct narrow crypts and relatively wide villi. (B) Drug concentration profiles for steady-state solution of multi-crypt diffusion–convection for indicated Jvo for Co/Kd = 10. (C) Percent inhibition of net secreted fluid as a function of Co/Kd for indicated Jvo. Jvo of ∼7 × 10−2 µL/cm2/s is typical in cholera. (D) Percent inhibition along the intestine for indicated lumen axial mean velocity, Umean. Segmental percent inhibition in C was described by an empirical regression to the equation: % inhibition = α · exp[β · log10(Cin/Kd)], with α = 3.523 and β = 1.112 for Jvo = 7 × 10−2 µL/cm2/s, typical of cholera. (E) Percent inhibition for 5-m-long intestinal segment as a function of Co/Kd for indicated Umean. Results for a short (1-mm) intestinal segment are shown for comparison.